Mid-range amateur--how to know when to upgrade?

[monzamess]

Hi. I am currently playing a low-end 5-string "Stellar Neptune" bass that I bought from a member here some time ago. It has been a dependable instrument for years, and I am trying to determine whether it's time to upgrade before I make such an investment.

I've been playing bass for about 9 years and had some musical experience before that in school band, but I'm not particularly gifted musically. I picked up the bass to fill in on my previous church's worship team and my playing experience is almost exclusively contemporary Christian music at a few different churches. I can hit the roots at the right time, match the drummer's rhythm, control my tone somewhat, and play some really simple fills--my style is "useful" but not particularly inspiring.

What I find frustrating with my current bass is:
1) To avoid significant fret buzz, the strings are high--12/64" at the 17th fret. Even with that, there is still some buzz. I've had someone lower the strings and the buzzing was much worse, so they were raised back up. I feel like the high strings hinder playing many patterns/runs--maybe.
2) The sustain isn't as much as I would like.
3) It's passive with a low output signal (per various soundboard operators) and I'd like more tone options.

My questions:
* How much of my frustration is attributable to skill, and how much is attributable to equipment?
* What skills should I work on before investing in a new bass?
* If I upgrade, I think I'd look for an active 34"-scale 5-string under $1000 -- any suggestions?

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

 

[James Collins]

1) If your action was ok and then it got bad, you need to adjust your truss rod. When you do a setup, the first step is adjusting the nut, second is the truss rod, and third is the saddles in the bridge. If you don't do this, any bass will buzz.

2) Sustain will improve with better construction and more mass. That could be achieved by a new bass or new components like a high mass bridge.

3) An active bass is generally active because it has a preamp. You could improve your sustain and sound with something like a compression pedal.

Really, if you want a new bass, coming on here to ask for permission is like asking the people at the bar if you should have one more...

 

[James Collins]

Your frustration is probably related to both skill and equipment. I don't think anyone can tell you what skills to work on without listening to you play. And my recommendation in that price range would probably be something I haven't really played, so I would let others recommend instruments. But there are plenty in that price range.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

Well, you've been playing an entry-level instrument for 9 years, and $1,000 can get you a pretty nice bass, so I see no reason not to treat yourself to something a little nicer. Fender, Ibanez, and Schecter all pop quickly to mind for basses that could fit your requirements and price range. Shop used and your options open up even wider.

That said, if you'd like to keep what you've got, I'd either watch some YouTube videos on doing a proper setup, or take it to a knowledgeable tech (read: not Guitar Center). The fret buzz is probably curable, and the low output may simply be because the pickups are too far from the strings.

 

[MordBass]

My personal rules for upgrading or adding a bass/amp is this.....
Buy used so somebody else has eaten the majority of loss....
Buy nicer stuff that holds its value better....
Enjoy it.

Also, take advantage of credit card offers. There are like 3 cards out there right now that give up to $250 cash back if you spend a grand in the first 3 months... plus 12 months no interest.
This could make a $2000 new bass, $1000 used, then only $750 right off the bat and then the zero% interest would have you at $63/month. You're already ahead of the curve on retaining value at that point.

Ive assembled a better collection of gear and felt better about spending the money since i've done this. I know that most of my basses could be sold for the same or more than I paid so I dont really look at it like buying an instrument so much as its like a free bass that requires a 100% deposit.

 

[brownie_bass]

It's never too early to get a good instrument, IMO. As others have said, if you buy something used you won't eat much depreciation if you decide to get something different in a year or two. And in the meantime you can eliminate the concerns about whether your equipment is causing you problems.

Just do it!

 

[monzamess]

Hey, thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice. My aim wasn't really to get "approval" to buy something new, but just some perspective on how you know when the equipment is the limiter or personal skill is. I think I'll hit up some more music stores and try things out.

 

[BOOG]

Get a second bass and take current bass to a luthier. Personally, I like to work on my own guitars but, that's just me.
Having more than one of anything is better in that there's always a backup. Having many is EVEN BETTER!
By the way, all of the big box stores have sales going right now. More used stock will be available and/new gear will have decent deals.
Ain't nuthin free. Just gotta be willing to do what it takes and sacrifice what you are willing to get what you want. We all have different standards.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Hey, thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice. My aim wasn't really to get "approval" to buy something new, but just some perspective on how you know when the equipment is the limiter or personal skill is. I think I'll hit up some more music stores and try things out.

Sounds like a good setup will cure what you describe. Now 9 years with your bass, have you named it? If so keep it. If not treat yourself to something new. After all it's the holiday season, a little late, but still the season.

Even if you go with something new don't trade your old bass in, keep it, you'll only get 50% market value and for that small amount you can enjoy having your old friend around.

Good luck.

 

[mambo4]

The savvy move is to upgrade using only money made from playing the previous bass.

In the beginning I played cheap basses until I had a regular gig that benefitted from something more. I never bought a new, upgraded bass without also having a reliable place to put it to use. Did I make enough from gigs to buy my new basses? heh...no, of course not.

 

[buldog5151bass]

First of all, get a proper setup done on the bass you have. Plenty of people here regularly gigging Squiers and other similar priced basses.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

Hi. I am currently playing a low-end 5-string "Stellar Neptune" bass that I bought from a member here some time ago. It has been a dependable instrument for years, and I am trying to determine whether it's time to upgrade before I make such an investment.

I've been playing bass for about 9 years and had some musical experience before that in school band, but I'm not particularly gifted musically. I picked up the bass to fill in on my previous church's worship team and my playing experience is almost exclusively contemporary Christian music at a few different churches. I can hit the roots at the right time, match the drummer's rhythm, control my tone somewhat, and play some really simple fills--my style is "useful" but not particularly inspiring.

What I find frustrating with my current bass is:
1) To avoid significant fret buzz, the strings are high--12/64" at the 17th fret. Even with that, there is still some buzz. I've had someone lower the strings and the buzzing was much worse, so they were raised back up. I feel like the high strings hinder playing many patterns/runs--maybe.
2) The sustain isn't as much as I would like.
3) It's passive with a low output signal (per various soundboard operators) and I'd like more tone options.

My questions:
* How much of my frustration is attributable to skill, and how much is attributable to equipment?
* What skills should I work on before investing in a new bass?
* If I upgrade, I think I'd look for an active 34"-scale 5-string under $1000 -- any suggestions?

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

Worth getting a setup first. The setup - or at least taking it to a setup guy - will tell you everything about whether you've outgrown it or not. Action/warping, pickups, and tuners/bridge are always things to look for in cheaper units.

That, and a very common 'beginner' thing is to be playing too hard. Try lightening up and turning your amp up to compensate. Does wonders for technique and tone. It is up for debate of how hard/soft is 'right', it is only a suggestion for you to check out.

I'm looking for a new (cheap) 5 these days as well - Sire basses have a great word-of-mouth going, check them out. $500-700 makes it all the more tempting. Tons of quality choices out there in the $400-1000 range.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I'd say you've been at it long enough to not be making silly mistakes, so that leads us to the bass. If it ever did play well for you then it can likely be put back that way unless the neck is gooched. It's also wintertime, the action will get higher because it's drier. But that's adjustable. The best thing you can do is learn how to do a setup yourself. You'll save tons of money and customize your setup for your playing.
Buzzing in the upper registers is a common problem with bolt ons. It's possible it might need a shim at the back end of the neck but exhaust the other possibilities first.